Winnebago increases capacity

Company spokesman Max Mayo says Australia's biggest motorhome company expects to record its second successive record financial year after topping 600 sales last year. 

"Our main customers are retirees or those heading to retirement and with seven million baby boomers or one third of the population, we have a
huge wave of our market heading towards us over the next few years," he says. 

"We're only doing one shift at the moment." Winnebago has just updated its Birdsville range which had been unchanged since 2007. Prices start at $119,990, rising between $500-$1000, which Mayo says is less than 1 per cent of the total price. 

"We try to keep our prices competitive, but we're under a lot of pressure from other products made in China, Taiwan or Korea," he says. 

"With the advent of the new Fiat chassis we felt we could make enough changes in the spec, the construction method, larger fresh water tanks, extra storage - almost double - and general ambience. 

"We do listen to customers and take a lot of feedback from our dealers and the Winnebago RV club members. The changes made are largely as a result of their comments." 

The 2012 Birdsville range offers six living plans accommodating two to eight people using permanent and temporary bedding. It is based on the new Fiat Ducato X251 chassis with 13 per cent better fuel consumption, 25 per cent more power to 132kW and 6 per cent less emissions. 

Outside, the Birdsville has a streamlined shape to aid aero and fuel economy. In testing by the NRMA, the Birdsville range recorded fuel consumption of 11.34 litres per 100km which is little more than a large family car and less than the 20.52L/100km recorded by a car towing a caravan in the same test. 

On the safety side, each motorhome comes with four lap/sash seatbelts with the two passengers seated at the dinette with their heads protected by high-back seat cushions. Two child restraint anchorage points are also provided.

The motorhome features double-glazed windows, light timber furniture and a mix of energy saving LED lights and bright reading lights operating off the motorhome battery. 

The kitchen comes with a gas cooktop, deep sink and "intelligent" refrigerator that can run on battery, 240 volt or LPG gas bottle and can select the appropriate energy source itself. 

There is also an LED TV with built-in DVD player, electric start gas/240 volt hot water system and flushing toilet that does not get splashed by the shower. Winnebago motorhomes come with a two-year one-million-kilometre warranty and five-year structural guarantee.